Sewing-machine feeding device.



I. C. ROWLEY.

SEWING MACHINE FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I, 1914.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

TNE NORRIS PETERS 120., PHO1b Lr7N0.. WASHINGIONI n. c

ISABELLE G. ROWLEY, 0F COLUMBUS, OHIO.

' SEWING-MACHINE FEEDING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

Application filed September 1, 1914. Serial No. 859,705.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISABELLE C. RowLnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-Hachine Feeding Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of sewing machine feeding devices which are commonly known as prodders.

The objects of my invention are to provide a device of this character of improved construction adapted to be worn on the tinger of a. sewing machine operator; to so construct my improved feeding device as to facilitate the feeding of goods beneath the foot of a sewing machine without danger of injury to the finger of the operator; to provide in combination with my improved feeding device or prodder, means for severing threads and to produce other improvements, the details of which will be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved feeding device showing the same in position on a finger,

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, and,

Fig. 1 is a transverse section on line 1-4 of Fig. 1.

It is well known that operators of sewing machines, particularly power machines, who employ their fingers to feed or push the goods being sewed over the feeder plate and beneath the foot of the machine, are the subjects of many accidents resulting from the operators finger being pierced by the descending needle. This danger is so well known and recognized, that some States of the Union have felt the necessity of passing laws requiring operators of power machines to employ a metal prodder or feeder instead of using the fingers.

In order to facilitate the use of a metal prodder, I have produced the device hereinafter described and which, as shown in the drawing, consists in a tubular thimblelike member 1 shaped to fit the end of the finger of a wearer to leave this finger end unexposed from the lower end of which extends at a slight angle a tapering feeder finger 2, which when the finger of the operator is inserted in the tubular member 1 in the manner indicated in Fig. 1, may be conveniently employed to feed the goods forward over the feeder plate of the machine. It will he observed by reference to the drawing that the finger receiving portion 1 is at such. angle with the feeding or prodding member 2, as to receive the finger of the operator when the latter is held in the natural downward and forward pressing position. It will also be observed that the top side of the member 1 extends forward beyond the finger end and that the portion 2 extends forward from this as well as the underside portion of the member 1.

In order that the operator may not altogether lose the sense of feel of the goods and that the finger may, when desired, be made to contact directly with the goods, I preferably provide in the rear side of the portion 1 an opening 3 through which the ball of the operators finger, which is shown at 4., may project.

As a convenient means of cutting threads while the prodder is worn on the finger,v

I form the upper side of the prodder member 2 with an upwardly projecting sharpened ridge or cutter blade 5 which may readily be brought into contact with a thread to be severed.

While I have referred to my improved feeding or prodding device as being formed of metal, it is obvious that it may be formed of any desirable material which would be impervious to puncture by a needle.

Heretofore where metallic or similar prodders of other material have been used, it has been customary to hang or support the same in a position adjacent to the machine, so that the operator may reach for the same when desired for use. By'my construction it will readily be understood that theprodder being worn on the finger, will at all times be ready for the use of the operator and that much time may thus be saved.

What I claim, is:

A sewing machine feeding device comprising a thimble-like member shaped to fit the finger 0f the wearer, a tapering In testimony whereof I afiix my signature feeder finger projecting forwardly at an in presence of two Witnesses.

an le to said thimble-like member from the w J r for ivard end of said member, and a thread ISABELLE 5 cutting blade extending longitudinally of \Vitnesses:

and located on the upper side of said taper- C. C. SHEPHERD, 111g feeder finger. \VALTER E. L. 13001;.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner'of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

